For that, guys like Buster Posey, Justin Verlander, Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen and Prince Fielder might be pelted with criticism for not representing their country in baseball's lone nation-versus-nation tournament.

Admittedly, it will be a less appetizing to watch J.P. Arencibia catch fastballs from Tim Collins or Vinnie Pestano, or to see another country's ace face Willie Bloomquist or Shane Victorino with two on and two out in a tight game.

That part of it is a downer.

It is also understandable.

Although many American-born superstars opted not to accept Team USA's invitation, they did so because they chose to keep their major league teams and the 2013 regular season their top priority. And any criticism of them for that is not only unwarranted but also unfair.

The WBC is supposed to showcase each country's best baseball talent, and that will be the case for many of the 16 teams involved. The Dominican Republic uses many of its major league stars, as does Venezuela. Although countries like Japan don't have all of their MLB players on the roster, fans get to see the next crop of big leaguers from those countries.

But in America, where national pride is reserved more for patriotic movies and Memorial Day parades, fans don't put much stock in the WBC or the success of Team USA. A 7-7 record over two tournaments proves the American players aren't all in, and the lack of public outrage — like when USA Basketball was getting bounced in world tournaments — is further proof that baseball fans don't care much.

What the fans do care about is how their favorite major league team does during the regular season and in the playoffs. And if one of their teams' stars, say Fielder or Clayton Kershaw, were to miss significant time because of an injury that occurred during the WBC, there would be an outcry from both fans and teams to do whatever is necessary to keep their players out of the tournament for the rest of its existence.

That said, if Team USA were to advance to the semifinals or finals against a team like the Dominican Republic, Cuba or two-time champion Japan, it is safe to assume patriotic pride would swell and the WBC would become popular for about a week. But there would be no carryover. The event wouldn't gain long-term traction in this country, and its absent superstars wouldn't feel any more inclined to participate.

And success is a real possibility.

Despite all the roster criticism, it isn't like Team USA is stocked with a bunch of replacement players. The squad is solid even without some of the country's best.

Joe Mauer was the third-best catcher in the majors last season in terms of WAR, according to fangraphs.com, and is a former American League MVP. His backup is Jonathan Lucroy, who is emerging as one of the sport's best catchers.

Brandon Phillips is a top-five second baseman and brings the kind of flair and showmanship that tournaments like the WBC crave.

Ben Zobrist and Jimmy Rollins were among the game's best shortstops last season, and David Wright led all third basemen in WAR.

In the outfield, Ryan Braun, Adam Jones and Giancarlo Stanton would pump a high level of fear into any major league ace.

And on the mound, R.A. Dickey is coming off his Cy Young season and Craig Kimbrel and Kris Medlen were two of National League's best pitchers in 2012. There is still a pitching spot open, and it could go to Verlander (depending on how he feels once he starts throwing in spring training).

Team USA has a pretty good chance to win this thing. Of course, much of that will depend on how prepared the players are for big-time competition. Remember, this tournament is played during a time of the year when players are pacing themselves and cautiously guarding against injuries so they can be in optimal shape come opening day. They aren't used to revving up for real competition in early March.

Nevertheless, the players participating will to play to win and for pride. In the days leading up to this tournament, they will field question after question about their country's mediocre showings in the first two Classics and whether it is time to assert the United States' baseball dominance.

They will answer that it is time. Players who aren't participating and fans might answer differently, though.